The guitar-shaped scoreboard hanging 12.5 feet above the right-center field concourse is the first thing your group spots when you walk through the gate at First Horizon Park (19 Junior Gilliam Way, Nashville, TN 37208) — and for a lot of groups, that moment of "wait, is the scoreboard actually a guitar?" is the whole reason they came. The Nashville Sounds have 75 home dates from March 31 through September 20, 2026, which means 75 chances for that reaction. The problem nobody tells you about beforehand is the parking math: Germantown's restaurant block fills well before first pitch, the state employee lots around Bicentennial Mall don't open to the public until 5:30 p.m. on weeknights, and on a Saturday night fireworks game, roughly 10,000 fans are all doing the same calculation at the same time.
A Nashville charter bus or party bus rental removes that calculation entirely — your group drops at the curbside along 3rd Avenue North, walks straight to the gates, and the bus stages at the 10th Avenue Circle lots while you watch the game.
This guide covers every logistical detail first-timers miss: the specific curbside zone where buses drop off, which lot is free for oversized vehicles and which fills early on peak nights, how the Jefferson Street and Rosa Parks Boulevard approaches off I-65 actually work on game nights, and how to build in a Germantown restaurant stop without adding a single parking headache to the plan. Partybusinnashville.com connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Nashville so you can compare vehicles and pricing in under 30 seconds — call 615-610-5626 or use the online form any time. For the full picture of Nashville group transportation to sporting events, the Nashville sporting event transportation page has every detail.
Charter Bus and Party Bus Drop-Off at First Horizon Park
Charter buses and party buses drop groups off curbside along 3rd Avenue North near the Right Field Entrance — the same zone the stadium directs rideshare pickups to, per the official Sounds transportation guidance. That puts your group steps from the ballpark entrance rather than hunting for parking on side streets. After the drop, the bus moves to the 10th Avenue Circle state employee lots (detailed in the next section) and stages there until your group is ready to leave.
No parking structure, no garage tickets, no post-game scramble — the bus is already waiting when the ninth inning ends.
One timing note: Rep. John Lewis Way North (the street running alongside the first base side of the park) and Junior Gilliam Way itself are both viable approach roads for the drop, and on a light-attendance weeknight the curbside coordination is simple. On a Friday fireworks night or a Saturday bobblehead giveaway date, traffic along 3rd Avenue North backs up toward Jefferson Street — build an extra 10–15 minutes into your arrival window on those nights.
The official First Horizon Park directions page covers the curbside zones and recommended approach routes, and it's worth a quick review before your game date.
Rideshare drop-off is at the Right Field Entrance along 3rd Avenue N, per the stadium's published guidance. That's the same curbside zone a charter bus uses for group drop-off — your group walks straight to the gates, and the bus heads to its lot rather than paying garage rates or circling the neighborhood.
Bus Parking at First Horizon Park: The State Employee Lots vs. the Sounds Garage
Nashville Sounds game-night parking splits into two distinct worlds depending on what you're driving. If you're in a bus, RV, or any oversized vehicle, the official answer is 10th Avenue Circle — the ring of state employee surface lots near the Tennessee State Capitol. Per the official Nashville Sounds parking page, those state lots are open free of charge for oversized vehicles on game nights.
The catch: on weeknights, state of Tennessee non-gated surface lots don't open to the public until 5:30 p.m., so if your group wants to roll in for a 6:35 p.m. first pitch, the bus needs to plan around that cutoff. Weekend games are simpler — state lots are available all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
For groups arriving by car, the picture is different. The Nashville Sounds garage on Harrison Street (between Rep. John Lewis Way N and 4th Avenue N) is the most convenient paid option, and pre-purchased passes guarantee a spot as long as you arrive within 30 minutes of the scheduled first pitch.
Day-of availability depends on the game — high-demand dates like fireworks nights and bobblehead giveaways fill the garage earlier than a quiet Tuesday. Around the stadium there are roughly 6,000 parking spaces within a half-mile walk, ranging from private lots along 3rd and 4th Avenue North to metered street parking on the residential blocks east of the ballpark. Private lots near the park tend to run $10–$20 on game nights, with the closer spots commanding the higher end of that range.
The practical difference between driving and busing becomes most obvious on Saturday nights in July. When a 10,000-fan crowd empties onto Germantown's residential streets all at once, a chartered bus already staged at the 10th Avenue Circle lot is moving while separate cars are still trying to exit the garage.
Approaching First Horizon Park: Jefferson Street and Rosa Parks Boulevard Off I-65
The two I-65 approaches to First Horizon Park divide cleanly by direction, and knowing which one applies to your group's hotel or starting point saves a frustrating game-night detour.
Coming from the north (including downtown hotels on the east side of I-65): Take I-65 South, keeping left to merge onto I-24 East, then take Exit 47 — Jefferson Street. Merge onto Jefferson Street, turn left onto 3rd Avenue North, then turn right onto Junior Gilliam Way and First Horizon Park is on your left. The stretch of 3rd Avenue North between Jefferson Street and Junior Gilliam Way is where most game-night traffic concentrates on busy dates, so buses should allow extra time on sellout nights.
Note that older GPS systems may still display the park's former address as 401 Jackson Street — if a navigation app tries to take you there, trust Junior Gilliam Way instead.
Coming from the south: Take I-65 North, staying right for Exit 209 — Church Street. Turn right onto Church Street, then left onto Rosa Parks Boulevard, continuing onto James Robertson Parkway, which runs directly in front of the Bicentennial Capitol Mall and puts you right at the edge of the stadium's footprint. From there, turn left onto Rep.
John Lewis Way and right onto Junior Gilliam Way. The James Robertson Parkway route passes directly in front of the state employee lots at 10th Avenue Circle, which is a natural staging point for buses coming from the south.
Either approach puts you in the Germantown neighborhood, which is both an asset and the source of the parking problem. The streets are laid out on a walkable grid, the restaurants are dense and good, and Sounds fans know it — which is why the blocks along 3rd and 4th Avenue North fill up from both ends an hour before first pitch on any night with a giveaway or fireworks. A Nashville charter bus rental bypasses the fill-up question entirely: the bus drops the group at the curbside on 3rd Ave N, and that's the last transportation decision anyone has to make until the final out.
The Germantown Pre-Game Block: Where a Party Bus Rental Makes Multi-Stop Easy
First Horizon Park sits in one of Nashville's best-stocked pre-game neighborhoods, and groups with a party bus have a straightforward advantage: the bus drops at one restaurant, everyone walks in, then the bus picks up and moves to the next one, then drops straight at the gate. No parking at every stop, no re-sorting people into different cars, no one designated to stay sober because they're driving. Here's where groups cluster before Nashville Sounds games.
Von Elrod's Beer Hall & Kitchen (vonelrods.com, 1004 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219) sits steps from the ballpark's first base entrance and is specifically positioned for Sounds game crowds. The outdoor beer garden, 38 taps, house-smoked meats, and pretzels the size of your steering wheel make it the obvious first stop. Von Elrod's fills fast on weekend nights, so early arrival pays off — the Tuesday through Thursday schedule makes a much easier walk-up.
Social Cantina (820 4th Ave N, Suite 137, Nashville, TN 37219) opened in spring 2025 in the Starling mixed-use development directly across the sidewalk from First Horizon Park, with a 100-seat patio that looks right over the outfield. If your group wants to watch batting practice from a taco-and-tequila patio, this is the stop. The kitchen runs a full menu and the patio is dog-friendly, which makes it a popular first spot for groups arriving early.
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint (1123 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN) is a few blocks north along the same street that leads to the Right Field Entrance. Burgers, a deep beer list in a no-frills setting, and easy walk-in access make it a reliable pre-game move when the other spots have a wait. All three of these stops are within a three-block radius of each other and within easy walking distance of the Right Field Entrance — a Nashville party bus rental for a birthday night or a bachelorette outing can do all three stops and land at the gate before first pitch without a single group member hunting for a parking spot.
Nashville Airport (BNA) to First Horizon Park
Nashville International Airport (BNA) sits approximately 7 miles southeast of First Horizon Park, a drive of roughly 15–25 minutes under normal conditions via I-40 West into downtown. On a Friday evening when a Sounds game coincides with downtown traffic, that window expands — budget 30–40 minutes if your flight lands during the 5–7 p.m. rush. The most common out-of-town group pattern is a single bus pickup at BNA's arrivals level, a hotel drop to drop bags, and then a second leg to First Horizon Park — which is cleaner than multiple rideshares and eliminates the "which Uber has the luggage?" problem.
For full airport pickup details, see the Nashville airport transportation page, and the BNA airport shuttle guide has the arrivals curb specifics covered.
What Size Bus Fits Your First Horizon Park Group?
First Horizon Park's intimate scale — 8,500 fixed seats, 10,000 with the berm — means the groups showing up tend to run smaller than NFL or arena crowds. That works in your favor when matching vehicle to headcount: you're not chartering a 56-passenger coach for a 15-person outing. Here is how the full vehicle lineup breaks down for a Sounds game run, from the small group to the company outing.
| Vehicle | Seats | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van / 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to 14 | Small groups, suite holders, birthday dinners rolling into the game | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted windows; limo adds LED bar setup |
| 25-passenger party bus / 30-passenger party bus | 25–30 | Bachelorette or birthday groups doing the Germantown pre-game block first | Built-in bar area, color-changing LED lighting, Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Corporate outings, team groups, school groups, families | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats, overhead storage, greater maneuverability in Germantown's tight grid |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Large corporate or group-sales outings, multi-bus fan club runs | Undercarriage bays for gear, onboard restroom, reclining seats, WiFi, power outlets, climate control |
The minibus is the workhorse vehicle for First Horizon Park trips. Germantown's streets are compact and the turns off 3rd Avenue North are tight; a Nashville minibus rental handles that grid more easily than a full-size coach and still gives a group of 20–30 comfortable reclining seats and solid A/C for a July night game. If your group wants the pre-game-on-wheels experience with LED lighting and sound, the 25- or 30-passenger party bus is the right pick.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — note it in your quote request.
Rent a Bus to First Horizon Park: What It Costs
Nashville bus rental pricing for a First Horizon Park run is shaped by vehicle size, total reserved hours (including the Germantown pre-game stops and the post-game wait at the 10th Avenue Circle lots), the day of week, and pickup location. To give you an idea of planning ranges: a minibus runs roughly $200–$250 per hour on weekdays and $200–$275 per hour on weekends; a 25-passenger party bus comes in around $250–$350 on weekdays and $275–$375 on weekends; a full-size charter bus typically ranges $200–$350 per hour on both weekday and weekend dates. These are planning ranges, not quotes — the real number depends on your exact itinerary, and you can get it in under 30 seconds using the online tool or by calling 615-610-5626.
The per-head math often surprises people. A 30-person group splitting a five-hour minibus rental at $225 per hour is looking at $1,125 total — about $37 per person, compared to separate Ubers there, separate Ubers back (post-game surge pricing included), and however many people pay garage rates or circle the neighborhood for street parking. The Nashville party bus prices page has the full breakdown across all vehicle types.
To give you an idea: a 22-person group heading to a Friday night fireworks game books a 25-passenger party bus. Pickup from a Midtown hotel at 5:30 p.m., one stop at Von Elrod's on 4th Avenue North, curbside drop at the Right Field Entrance by 6:15 p.m. The bus stages at the 10th Ave Circle lots during the game, and a 9:45 p.m. pickup right after the finale.
A four-hour rental at that size might run approximately $1,100–$1,500 total — around $50–$68 per person, with every transportation decision handled for the night.
For corporate groups with suite or group-ticket packages, a minibus or charter bus keeps the client and team together from the hotel to the park and back. Check out the Nashville corporate event transportation page for the full account-level options.
The 2026 Nashville Sounds Season at First Horizon Park
The Nashville Sounds — the Milwaukee Brewers' Triple-A affiliate since 2021 — play 75 home games at First Horizon Park in 2026, opening at home on Tuesday, March 31 against the Charlotte Knights at 6:35 p.m. and running through September 20. The International League schedule brings 10 different opponents through Germantown across the season, including the Gwinnett Stripers (Atlanta Braves), Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds), Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals), and Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays).
The guitar-shaped scoreboard — 142 feet long, 55 feet high, and suspended 12.5 feet above the outfield concourse — is the detail groups come back for. The high-definition LED display replaced a similar guitar scoreboard at the Sounds' former home at Greer Stadium, and on Hit City Saturday nights the team brings in live music in the 5–5:30 p.m. pre-game window right underneath it. The 2026 promotional schedule includes 33 giveaway dates and 15 fireworks shows, including 13 postgame Fireworks Fridays.
Notable dates:
- April 18: Jacob Misiorowski Bobblehead giveaway
- June 24: Brice Turang Bobblehead night
- July 3–5: Independence Day weekend vs. the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (defending Triple-A champions) — fireworks all three nights, the single busiest transportation weekend of the summer
- September 5: Sal Frelick Bobblehead, Fan Appreciation weekend stretch
Theme nights include Space Jam Night, Marvel Night, Star Wars Night, Christmas in July, and the return of the Sounds' alternate identities: Nashville Hot Chickens, Nashville Brewskis, and the final Nashville Elite Giants farewell games. Daily promotions run by day of week — Throwback Thursday brings retro uniforms and $3 draft beers; Tito's Tail Waggin' Tuesdays are the dog-friendly nights. The July 4th weekend is the date where transportation demand spikes hardest — book at least six weeks out for that window.
For concerts and non-baseball events at First Horizon Park, the same curbside drop on 3rd Avenue North applies. The Nashville concert transportation page covers event-night specifics for the broader music calendar.
What to Know Before You Go to First Horizon Park
A few things every group should have sorted before game day, straight from the park's published policies on the official First Horizon Park safety page:
Bag policy. One clear bag is permitted — either a one-gallon Ziploc-style bag or a 12" × 12" × 6" clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag — plus one small clutch or purse no larger than 5" × 9". Non-clear bags, backpacks, and fanny packs are not allowed.
Medically necessary items and diaper bags are permitted after inspection.
No outside food or drinks. First Horizon Park does not allow outside food, drinks, or coolers inside the gates. Budget accordingly for concession spending, especially if it's a hot July evening.
Cashless facility. The entire park — box office, concessions, retail store — operates cashless. Card or mobile payment only.
Inform everyone in your group before they walk in.
Digital tickets only. Tickets are mobile only through Ticketmaster — there's no paper ticket option at the gate. Make sure the whole group has their tickets loaded before the bus leaves, not at the curbside drop.
Group outings and suites. Groups of 20 or more qualify for discounted group rates and designated seating through the Sounds' group ticket page. The First Horizon Park Field Suites accommodate 25–50 guests per suite and up to 200 when combined — a natural pairing with a charter bus for a corporate outing.
Group sales can be reached at 615-690-HITS.
WeGo transit. The Music City Circuit — a free downtown circulator operated by WeGo Public Transit — has a stop near the ballpark and runs approximately every 15 minutes, including Sundays. WeGo Route 29 Jefferson includes a stop at Rep.
John Lewis Way N & Harrison Street. For a group arriving in scattered waves from different hotels, the circulator can fill in the gaps — but it won't hold the whole group together the way one bus does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly does a charter bus or party bus drop off at First Horizon Park?
Buses drop off along 3rd Avenue North near the Right Field Entrance, the same curbside zone the stadium designates for rideshare pickups. Junior Gilliam Way itself (the park's address) is also a viable approach. After the drop, the bus moves to the 10th Avenue Circle state employee lots, which are the official designated parking area for oversized vehicles on game nights.
For the current curbside setup, check the How to Get Here page at firsthorizonpark.com before your date.
Where do buses and oversized vehicles park on game nights?
The Nashville Sounds officially direct buses, RVs, and motorhomes to the 10th Avenue Circle state employee lots, which are free on game nights. On weeknights, those state lots don't open to the public until 5:30 p.m., so early-evening buses should plan arrival around that cutoff. Weekend games — any Saturday or Sunday date — have the lots available all day.
The official Nashville Sounds parking page has the current lot details.
How much does it cost to rent a bus to First Horizon Park?
As a planning range: a minibus runs roughly $200–$275 per hour, a 25-passenger party bus around $250–$375 per hour, and a full-size charter bus $200–$350 per hour. The actual quote depends on vehicle size, total hours, day of week, and pickup location. You can compare quotes in under 30 seconds at Partybusinnashville.com — call 615-610-5626 or use the online tool any time, no account required.
What is the Jefferson Street approach to First Horizon Park from I-65?
From I-65 South, keeping left to merge onto I-24 East (coming from north Nashville or the interstate), take Exit 47 for Jefferson Street, merge onto Jefferson, turn left onto 3rd Avenue North, then turn right onto Junior Gilliam Way — the park is on your left. Groups coming from the south take I-65 North to Exit 209 for Church Street, then follow Church Street to Rosa Parks Boulevard and James Robertson Parkway, which passes the Bicentennial Mall and the 10th Ave Circle lots on the way toward the park.
When should I book a bus for a First Horizon Park game?
For most regular-season Sounds games, two to four weeks of lead time is workable. For peak dates — the July 4th weekend (July 3–5), fireworks Fridays in June and July, and bobblehead giveaway nights — book four to six weeks out. Demand on those nights is real, and the right vehicle at the right size goes first.
Call 615-610-5626 as soon as your date is set.
Is the Nashville Sounds garage the best option for my group if we drive separately?
The Nashville Sounds garage on Harrison Street (between Rep. John Lewis Way N and 4th Avenue N) is the most convenient pre-purchased parking option for cars. A pre-purchased pass guarantees your spot as long as you arrive within 30 minutes of first pitch.
Day-of availability is not guaranteed on high-demand nights. Private lots along 3rd and 4th Ave North fill from the restaurant end of the block, so groups arriving by car after 6:00 p.m. on a busy night may find the nearby options gone. One charter bus or minibus for the group sidesteps that entirely — one flat rate, one drop-off, no garage tickets.
What's the bag policy at First Horizon Park?
One clear bag per person — either a one-gallon Ziploc or a 12" × 12" × 6" clear plastic/vinyl/PVC bag — plus a small clutch or purse no larger than 5" × 9". Non-clear bags, backpacks, and oversized bags are not permitted. Medically necessary items and diaper bags are allowed after inspection.
The park is fully cashless and requires digital tickets via Ticketmaster.
Can my group tailgate near First Horizon Park?
The Germantown neighborhood functions as the tailgate: the restaurant block on 3rd and 4th Avenue North is the pre-game setup, not a stadium parking lot. There's no official tailgating lot outside the gates the way NFL stadiums have them. Groups in a party bus have the cleanest version of this — a Germantown stop at Von Elrod's or Social Cantina before the game, then a curbside drop at the Right Field Entrance.
The bus stages at 10th Ave Circle during the game and is right there for the post-game pickup.
Is there public transit to First Horizon Park?
Yes — the Music City Circuit (free, runs every 15 minutes including Sundays) has a stop near the ballpark, and WeGo Route 29 Jefferson stops at Rep. John Lewis Way N & Harrison Street. Both options work for individuals or small groups arriving solo.
For a group of 15 or more traveling together, public transit splits the group — a party bus or minibus keeps everyone on the same schedule from the same pickup point to the same curbside drop.
What other Nashville sports venues have similar group transportation setups?
The same bus-based approach works well for Predators games at Bridgestone Arena (where no major parking exists directly adjacent) and Tennessee Titans games at Nissan Stadium on the east bank of the Cumberland River. The Bridgestone Arena transportation guide and the Nissan Stadium group transportation guide cover both venues in the same detail as this one.
Book Your First Horizon Park Bus Today
Whether your group is 12 people catching a Tuesday night game or 50 people combining a company outing with the July 4th fireworks weekend, the right Nashville bus rental for First Horizon Park is a quick quote away. Partybusinnashville.com connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Nashville so you can compare minibuses, party buses, charter buses, and Sprinter vans in seconds — one form, no account required, and see available options. The bus drops your group at the Right Field Entrance curbside while everyone else is still looking for a parking gap on 4th Avenue North. Call 615-610-5626 any time or use the online tool to get your quote and lock in your date.
